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Charles E. Stanfield had no idea when he immigrated to America in 1855 that he would found the firm that is a leader in its field today. Charles, along with his brother-in-law Samuel E. Dawson, founded the Tryon Woolen Mills in Tryon, P.E.I. in 1856. Charles sold his interests to Samuel in 1866. Charles, after spending a year or so in Charlottetown, then left for Truro, Nova Scotia. In 1870 Charles founded the Truro Woolen Mills (opposite the present railway station), which was believed to be the first factory of its kind in Canada. In succession, Charles built the St. Croix Woolen Mills at St. Croix, Nova Scotia...The Union Woolen Mills at Farnham...Truro Felt Works, near the Pictou crossing on Prince Street...finally locating at the present site on the banks of Salmon River in 1882. Charles was a creative genius. He constantly developed new equipment and new products. He maintained a workshop in his barn behind his house on Dominion Street, where he spent all of his spare time. Charles developed and manufactured the first cardigan jackets and stockinettes in Canada. He introduced Canadians to heavy rib underwear and the famous Drop Seat. He also manufactured sweater cloth and knitting yarn. In 1896 Charles sold his business to his two sons, John and Frank. The number of employees was seventeen. The number of customers was ninety-two. The two brothers called their business the Truro Knitting Mills Limited. They decided to specialize in knitted merchandise. Their father thought they were crazy, but the boys felt if they were to be successful, they would need to develop a reputation in some specific field and a stable product base. Therefore, they discarded many of their fathers sidelines. John and Frank developed the famous Shrink-proof Process which was to make Stanfields Underwear famous. The Yukon Klondike Trail of 1898 provided the Business with its first big break. Stanfields Unshrinkable Underwear became a byword among the hardy sourdoughs of 98. The miner could find no substitute for the warm, heavy, woolly underwear made by the little Truro firm. Stanfields Limited was incorporated in 1906. The members of the original Board of Directors were John and Frank Stanfield; John Y. Payzant, President of the Bank of Nova Scotia; George S. Campbell and J. Walter Allison, Directors of the Bank of Nova Scotia; T.G. McMullen, a Lumberman in the Truro area; and G.L. Fisher, Secretary-Treasurer of the Board. Mr. Fisher also served as Plant Superintendent until 1925.

 

Address: P.O. Box 190, Truro, Nova Scotia Canada, B2N 5C2.
Telephone: (902)895-5406
Fax: (902)893-8187
Website: http://www.stanfields.com/